MS Dhoni‘s IPL The future remains uncertain, as the legendary wicket-keeper-batsman is now 45 years old and has missed the entire 2026 season with a knee injury. Speculation about his retirement had existed for several years, but intensified this year after he was forced to withdraw from the tournament. While the Impact Player rule could have given Dhoni a way to extend his IPL career, earlier Chennai Super Kings Batsman Subramaniam Badrinath revealed that the veteran does not want to go down that path. According to Badrinath, Dhoni told him that he will not play as an impact player, adding another development to the ongoing uncertainty over whether he will return for IPL 2027.
While Dhoni may have ruled out the Impact Player option, Badrinath believes the format could actually suit the veteran wicket-keeper-batsman at this stage of his career. He explained that Dhoni’s limited involvement in the game makes him an ideal candidate for the role, while also pointing to the physical demands of lasting 20 overs and batting late in the innings.
“He has personally told me that he will not play as an impact player. He sees himself as a full-time keeper, which means he has to be on the field for the full 20 overs. So he will not play as an impact player, but I feel that if he does, it will benefit CSK tactically. His body cannot handle long spells, which is what even Fleming said. He will bat only after the 16th over and keep wickets. When his involvement is less, he will be ideal as an impact player,” Badrinath said on his YouTube channel.
Dhoni has scored 5439 runs in 278 matches in the Indian Premier League, including 24 fifties, at a strike rate of 137.45. He has also led CSK to the top five IPL titles.
Badrinath defends the influential player base
Badrinath also defended the Impact Player Rule from criticism regarding CSK’s treatment of all players, especially Shivam Dube. He argued that Dube’s limited bowling opportunities for the franchise had nothing to do with the rule, but rather with how the team management chose to use him during matches.
“Shivam Dube’s bowling for India but not for CSK is not because of the Impact Player rule. It is about CSK’s management and them not using Dube with the ball. Why are they using him as an impact player? The rule cannot be blamed,” Badrinath said.
